Ottawa, August 17, 2017 – Senator Doug Black made the following statement today regarding the tax changes proposed within the Tax Planning Using Private Corporations consultation paper issued by the Department of Finance Canada:

“Tax reform has many potential impacts on Canadians. While I fully support tax fairness for all Canadians, any changes to the existing law should be done with proper consultation with Canadians and Canadian businesses. I believe the changes being proposed by the Government may have potential unintended consequences on Canada’s competitiveness in the global economy, and therefore warrant further review and scrutiny.

“I call on the Standing Senate Committee on Banking, Trade and Commerce to thoroughly examine the proposed changes carefully and assist the Minister in assuring the best tax outcomes are achieved for Canadians. Some of the proposed changes may have substantive and long-term effects for young Canadians, and for hundreds of thousands of small businesses across Canada.

“Providing Canadians with a meagre 75 days in the middle of summer to comment on such a complex matter seems totally unreasonable and for that reason I have sent a letter to the Minister requesting an extension of the consultation until November 30, 2017.

“We need to ensure that these proposals do not adversely affect the middle class, especially young people, small business owners, farmers, fishermen, builders, or innovators just to name a few. These people are the bedrock of Canadian prosperity and competitiveness.”

]]>Is Canada Open for Business? Investment Challenges for Canadahttp://dougblack.ca/canada-open-business-investment-challenges-canada/
Tue, 01 Aug 2017 23:09:13 +0000http://dougblack.ca/?p=6091Continue Reading Is Canada Open for Business? Investment Challenges for Canada]]>This week, the National Post published an Editorial on an issue I have been speaking about for 4 years. The time has come for Canadians to have a frank and open debate about competitive and investment challenges for Canada. As the National Post points out, the nation needs a solid economic policy. Read the editorial.

]]>Canadian Chamber of Commerce Letter to Prime Minister Trudeau and the provincial and territorial premiers RE: Climate Competitivenesshttp://dougblack.ca/canadian-chamber-commerce-letter-prime-minister-trudeau-provincial-territorial-premiers-re-climate-competitiveness/
Mon, 31 Jul 2017 23:43:11 +0000http://dougblack.ca/?p=6080Continue Reading Canadian Chamber of Commerce Letter to Prime Minister Trudeau and the provincial and territorial premiers RE: Climate Competitiveness]]>The Canadian Chamber of Commerce recently sent an open letter to Prime Minister Trudeau and the provincial and territorial premiers on the subject of climate competitiveness. I am in full agreement with the Chamber’s point and will continue to draw these fundamental concerns to the government’s attention at all opportunities. I urge you to read the letter from the Canadian Chamber of Commerce.
]]>Statement by Senator Doug Black on the United Conservative Party of Albertahttp://dougblack.ca/statement-senator-doug-black-united-conservative-party-alberta/
Sun, 23 Jul 2017 00:41:35 +0000http://dougblack.ca/?p=6075Continue Reading Statement by Senator Doug Black on the United Conservative Party of Alberta]]>

I wish to congratulate the Conservative family in Alberta for choosing Unity. Today, marks the start of the rebuilding of the Alberta Advantage. I want to congratulate Brian Jean, Jason Kenney, and all those whose hard work has paid off for Albertans today, and for all Canadians tomorrow.

]]>Outstanding Albertans Recognized with the Senator’s Contribution Awardhttp://dougblack.ca/outstanding-albertans-recognized-senators-contribution-award/
Sat, 01 Jul 2017 13:00:16 +0000http://dougblack.ca/?p=6064Continue Reading Outstanding Albertans Recognized with the Senator’s Contribution Award]]>As part of Canada’s 150th birthday celebrations, I am delighted to award 219 outstanding Albertans who make important volunteer contributions to their communities. TheSenator’s Contribution Awardis presented to nominated individuals in each of Alberta’s cities, towns and villages that participated in the nomination process.

“It is important to recognize those who make quiet contributions to our communities and I wanted to use my position as an elected-Senator to work with each of Alberta’s communities to find exceptional individuals.”

]]>Seeking Clarity on Innovation Super-Cluster Guidelineshttp://dougblack.ca/seeking-clarity-innovation-super-cluster-guidelines/
Thu, 15 Jun 2017 16:11:59 +0000http://dougblack.ca/?p=6055Yesterday I asked Innovation, Science and Economic Development Minister Navdeep Bains on how the federal spending for innovation will be distributed. Will there be priority industries? And will there be any regional guidelines?

]]>Start Up by Sophiahttp://dougblack.ca/start-up-by-sophia/
Wed, 14 Jun 2017 14:00:47 +0000http://dougblack.ca/?p=6052Continue Reading Start Up by Sophia]]>I just wrapped up a great video chat with a young Alberta entrepreneur called Sophia Fairweather. We talked about the important role youth can play in creating new businesses and driving innovation as well as the importance of getting more girls into STEM.

Please check out her website for more information of the fantastic work she is doing.

OTTAWA, May 29, 2017 – Senator Doug Black is continuing the work that he started on Alberta 2.0 – a plan to build a more resilient and robust Alberta economy. He is also attending the Royal Canadian Air Force (RCAF) Exercise Maple Flag in Cold Lake along with other federal Parliamentarians.

Tomorrow, Senator Black will visit academics and engineers at the University of Alberta’s world renowned Artificial Intelligence lab and then meet with representatives from Edmonton Economic Development.

Wednesday, Senator Black will travel to Cold Lake, Alberta to participate in Exercise MAPLE FLAG – an opportunity to experience first-hand the outstanding work that the Canadian Armed Forces (CAF) and the Defence Team are doing on a daily basis on behalf of Canadians.

Quotes

“Artificial Intelligence is a phenomenal field of investigation and development. We are lucky to have a world-leading research lab at the University of Alberta” – Senator Doug Black

“I made a commitment as an elected-Senator to try and visit as many of Alberta’s communities as possible. My coming to Cold Lake has been long overdue and I am very glad to be here” – Senator Doug Black

“Our men and women in uniform deserve our utmost respect and preparation. I am proud to see the diligence that goes into planning Exercise Maple Flag.” – Senator Doug Black

]]>For Canada 150, let’s build a national portrait galleryhttp://dougblack.ca/canada-150-lets-build-national-portrait-gallery/
Thu, 25 May 2017 17:36:59 +0000http://dougblack.ca/?p=6044Continue Reading For Canada 150, let’s build a national portrait gallery]]>Action on creating a much-needed cultural institution is long overdue – the time has come for Canada to have its own national portrait gallery.

Since the 19th century, the National Archives of Canada has accumulated, and continues to accumulate, the world’s second-largest collection of portraits. These are portraits of Canadians from all walks of life and periods in our history. If they were put on display, they could tell a profound story about our nation through the people who have called this vast land home.

Many countries, including England, the United States and Australia, have permanent national portrait galleries that are prominently featured in their capital cities. Interestingly, young people make up the majority of attendees: in London and Washington, D.C., almost half are under the age of 35 years. These galleries are exciting, open to all, and are active participants in the life of their respective nations.

]]>On the water, fun and safety go hand-in-hand: Sen. Black and Sen. Rainehttp://dougblack.ca/water-fun-safety-go-hand-hand-sen-black-sen-raine/
Fri, 19 May 2017 19:14:43 +0000http://dougblack.ca/?p=6041Continue Reading On the water, fun and safety go hand-in-hand: Sen. Black and Sen. Raine]]>Beyond having the world’s longest coastline, Canada is a country of clean lakes and rivers. And each year when summer arrives, Canadians know how to enjoy the water — whether it’s in a natural setting or in a swimming pool.

Tragically, however, roughly 500 Canadians die every year as a result of drowning. We were reminded of this just last month when a twenty-three-year-old from Cambridge, Ontario drowned in a river after his canoe capsized.

In a country as developed and educated as Canada, it should come as a shock that more hasn’t been done to prevent these losses. It’s time to start recognizing drowning as a public health issue.

Therefore, to mark this year’s National Lifejacket and Swim Day, we believe, as senators, in the need to raise awareness of this crucial, yet often overlooked, issue. We must break out of this vicious cycle of shock, normalization and repetition.

The vast majority of drowning victims are young men and one-third of drownings are boating-related. Indigenous, northern, rural and new Canadians are also disproportionately affected.

Furthermore, in cases when individuals avoid drowning, they are often left with life-changing brain injuries. Not surprisingly, a large portion of these incidents took place after the consumption of alcohol.

In a country as active as ours often is, we understand how impossible it would be to ask Canadians not to have fun in the summertime. But there’s a simple solution to most of these tragedies: life jackets. Had that young man from Cambridge — or the countless other drowning victims across Canada — been wearing one, we would have had one fewer tragedy.

Other efforts must also be made to strengthen harm-reduction practices — these are lessons for when we’re both in the water and for when we’re just around water.

Drowning is typically a silent event. When someone is struggling in the water it’s usually hard to help or even notice. This is why people must take personal responsibility for their safety by wearing life jackets.

Swimming is an excellent way to stay fit and have fun — but if you’re going to enjoy the great outdoors on the water, put on a life jacket.

Doug Black is a senator representing Alberta. Nancy Greene Raine is a senator representing British Columbia.